Does the Bible reveal a time when God will grant the gift of immortality to human beings? Yes, but surprisingly to the majority of mankind, it will not be at our death. 1Corinthians, chapter 15, often called the resurrection chapter, gives a detailed account of mankind, beginning with Adam. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul speaks a great deal about the resurrection of Christ and what it means to the believer. Through Adam, death entered into the world but through Christ, the resurrection of the dead.
When will this resurrection occur? 1Corinthians15:22-23 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.."
1Corinthians15:51-54 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."
1Thessalonians 4:13-17 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus comforted Martha with the knowledge that her brother would live again. John 11:23-24 "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." She fully understood that Lazarus had not ascended to heaven, but that he was dead.
Four times in John, chapter 6. Jesus taught the resurrection from the dead.
John 6:39 "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
John 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 6:54 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
Death is an enemy. It is not a passport to heaven. 1Corinthians 15:55 "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
1Corinthians 15:26 "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
Revelation 20:14 "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."
Revelation 2:11 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
Revelation 20:6 "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."
Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
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